Deals with the genesis of the Council Directive 94/45/EC and describes the establishment of a works council or of a procedure for the purposes of informing and consulting employees. Discusses the subsidiary requirements regarding information and consultation in case where no agreement has been reached. Analyses the possibility of concluding pre-existing agreements (1994-1996). Includes the text of the Directive (1994 and 1997), the state of transposition of the 1994 Directive into national law, a list of companies which have concluded voluntary agreements and, finally, experience with Article 13 agreements, as evaluated by the ETUC.